Tree fruit picking apparatus

ABSTRACT

A tree fruit picking apparatus comprising a plurality of rigid support rods affixed to a rotatably driven support frame and diverging outwardly therefrom, each rod carrying several fruitgrasping members each of which defines a fruit-receiving opening to retentively grasp the fruit in its path and free such from its stem. A stationary shield partially surrounds the rotatable support member and is effective to orient the tree branches and also periodically depress the fruit-grasping members and subsequently release them, such that they spring outwardly into the tree branches to grasp the fruits in their paths.

[ 1 3,744,226 [451 July 10,1973

3,552,107 l/l97l 56/328 R TREE FRUIT PICKING APPARATUS Charles C.Granger, 1203 Chestnut St., Henderson, NC. 27536 Apr. 11, 1972 PrimaryExaminer-Antonio F. Guida Attorney-Harvey B. Jacobson [76] Inventor:

[22] Filed:

[57] ABSTRACT A tree fruit picking apparatus comprising a plurality ofrigid support rods affixed to a rotatably drive 21 Appl. No.: 242,973

n support each rod grasping members each of which frame and divergingoutwardly therefrom 33:0 26 carrying e era ru t [58] Field of 56/130 48defines a fruit-receiving opening to retentively grasp the fruit in itspath and free such from its stem. A stationary shield partiallysurrounds the rotatable support [56] References Cited member and iseffective to orient the tree branches and .mmPm m m m me Obi-m n ma 8 ua m f w h .E vC F .lwt m .m m w 3 6 .h n s 7 &e 9 mum s eet e w C n G m.lum may mama P m sw Odt m .wnu aa0 m. RRwwR annex mm m 55 m m5 T m m Nm m, E m "u M T1 P N hum "t" u a flaw T r mum... m wm a -1l SMMQWC DB09802 76677 199.999 NHHHHH 2 24 26975 798 9 7 7 7 v33 1 33333 PATENIELm 1 Q1913 sum 3 OF 3 TREE FRUIT PICKING APPARATUS The present inventionis generally related to harvesting equipment and, more particularly, totree fruit picking devices.

In the past, many harvesting machines have been proposed for picking orremoving fruits, such as oranges, from the associated tree branches.Such conventional devices, however, have met with only marginalacceptance since they do not effectively orient the tree branches in amanner which exposes the fruit for mechanical picking. Furthermore, suchdevices have not provided a satisfactory manner of physically freeingeach fruit from its stem. The use of conventional fruit picking devicesoften resulted in either leaving the fruit intact on the tree orexcessively damaging the fruit as it was removed.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a noveltree fruit picking apparatus which includes means for effectivelyorienting the tree branches during picking and fruit-grasping memberswhich effectively pull the fruits from their stems with a minimum amountof damage or bruising.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a unique treefruit picking apparatus which includes a rotatably driven support framewhich carries a plurality of fruit-grasping members and which ispartially surrounded by a shield with orientation prongs extendingoutwardly therefrom for engagement with the tree branches to lift,separate, or otherwise orient the branches to expose the fruit forpicking.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a versatiletree fruit picking apparatus with a plurality of wicket-like fruitgrasping members which travel in circular paths and are shaped toprovide tapered openings which capture each fruit and pull it from itsstem.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novelfruit picking apparatus with fruit-grasping members which areperiodically depressed as they pass through passageways associated witha stationary shield and are subsequently released to spring outwardlyinto the tree branches, whereby the effective fruit-receiving area israpidly increased to snatch the fruits from the branches.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the tree fruit picking apparatus of thepresent invention is working engagement with the branches of a typicalfruit tree.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the fruit picking apparatus illustrated in FIG.1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along section 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of a pair of fruitgrasping members, one ofwhich is illustrated in picking engagement with a typical fruit.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along section 5-5 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a fruit-grasping member associated withthe present invention.

FIG. 7 is a partial elevational view of the fruit picking apparatus withan alternate form of the shield mounted thereto.

Referring now, more particularly, to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, thetree fruit picking apparatus of the present invention is generallyindicated by the numeral 10 and is illustrated in FIG. 1 as being inworking engagement with the branches of a typical fruit tree I2. Theapparatus is movably supported by way of a superstructure 14 mounted toa vehicle 16 adapted to be driven through the orchard. It is notintended that the superstructure or vehicle form a part of the presentinvention, many conventional superstructures and vehicles beingadaptable to support the fruit picking apparatus in a manner similar tothat illustrated in FIG. 1.

Preferably, the outer end of the support structure is provided with anoperators station 18 with seat 20 and a control station 22. Several ofthe controls may be of the conventional hydraulic type which areconnected to hydraulic cylinders 23 such that the orientation of thesuperstructure and the fruit picking apparatus may be adjusted by theoperator. Vertical and horizontal movements of the apparatus may beeffected through the corresponding movements of the superstructure withthe inclination angle being adjustable by way of a pivotal mountingindicated at 24 and hydraulic cylinder 26, interconnecting thesuperstructure with the fruit picking apparatus.

The apparatus is provided with a relatively rigid, curved shield 28formed from sheet metal or similar materials and partially surroundingthe apparatus in order to bring the apparatus into working engagementwith the tree branches, as illustrated in FIG. 1. The shield member iscomprised of a plurality of vertically spaced, curved protrusions 30which are hollow and define open passageways, as hereinafter explained.The exterior of each protrusion is provided with a pair ofbtanch-engaging prongs 32 which extend outwardly from the apparatus intoworking engagement with the tree branches. During operation of the fruitpicking ap' paratus, the controls are adjusted to maneuver the shieldand associated prongs into the fruit-bearing branches of the tree beingpicked, such that the branches are lifted, or otherwise oriented, toexpose or position the fruit for picking, as hereinafter explained.Preferably, this operation is achieved by moving the apparatus from leftto right as it is illustrated in FIG. 1 until the prongs are positionedunder adjacent tree branches, then tilting the apparatus in a backwarddirection to lift the branches, whereby the fruit carried by each branchis oriented or positioned adjacent to the corresponding shieldprotrusion.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, it will be observed that the apparatusis provided with a hydraulic motor 34, or similar means, which isdrivingly connected to a drive shaft 36 by way of a belt-and-pulleyarrangement, such as that indicated at 38. A generally cylindricalsupport frame 40 is affixed to drive shaft 36 for rotation therewith. Aplurality of rigid support rods 42 are affixed to support frame 40 anddiverge outwardly therefrom in substantially radial directions. Each rodis firmly secured to the support frame by way of conventional means suchas welding as indicated at 44. If desired, the support frame may beprovided with elongated reinforcing members 46 which extend verticallyon the interior of the support frame and snugly engage the end portionsof the support rods to reinforce such to withstand the transverse forcesencountered when picking the fruit from the tree branches. Preferably,the support rods are arranged in groups, each group lying along the samepath of circular travel about the rotational axis of support frame 40.Each group of support rods is vertically spaced from the adjacent groupsand is aligned with one of the passageways provided by the shieldprotrusions 30.

Each support rod carries a plurality of fruit-grasping members 48 whichdefine fruit-receiving openings 50 which are of sufficient size topermit the passage of a fruit of the type being picked. The opening ofeach fruit-grasping member tapers inwardly as the member extends awayfrom the associated support rod, wherein the opening is significantlyreduced to a dimension smaller than the fruit being picked, as indicatedat 52.

The basic operation of the apparatus may be briefly explained asfollows. As the apparatus is moved into engagement with thefruit-bearing branches of the tree being picked, support frame 40 isrotated, thereby causing a circular, sweeping movement of thefruitgrasping members through the tree branches. Any fruits aligningwith the fruit-grasping members as they are advanced, are captured in amanner illustrated in FIG. 4. Continued movement of each fruit-graspingmember results in the fruit stem being embraced by the tapered portion52, such that the fruit itself is captured and pulled free of the sternand falls to the ground or into a suitable catcher for subsequentcollection and sorting. It will be appreciated that each fruit-graspingmember is formed from a relatively thin, elongated wicket-like memberwhich is fastened at opposite ends thereof to the associated support rodby way of a weld as indicated at 50, or similar means. In addition, eachfruit-grasping member is made of resilient, yieldable materials whichflex somewhat when exerting forces on the fruit stems. The relativethinness of the fruitgrasping members, together with their resiliency,significantly minimizes the amount of injury or damage to the fruit asit is freed from its stem.

As the support frame is rotated, the fruit-grasping members periodicallypass through the aligned passageways defined by shield protrusions 30.With reference to FIGS. 3 and 5, it will be observed that the upper andlower walls 56 and 58, of each passageway are spaced from each other bya dimension significantly less than the spacing between the end portionsof the oppositely disposed fruit-grasping members when in their normalfruit-engaging positions. As such, as the fruit-grasping members proceedthrough the associated passageways, they are flexed backwardly withrespect to their directions of travel and depressed inwardly toward theassociated support rod, such that the effective sweep area which theyencompass is significantly reduced. The fruit-grasping members continue.through the passageways in sliding engagement with walls 56 and 58. Aseach fruit-grasping member leaves the passageway, it is v releasedsuchthat it springs rapidly outward in a manner which tends to captureor snatch the fruit lying in its path.

It will be appreciated that the effective sweep area of i thefruit-receiving openings is significantly increased as eachfruit-grasping member leaves the associated passa ewa This arran ementsi nificantl increases the probability of capturing the fruit positionednear the passageway openings. This is due, in part, to the fact thatorientation of the shield member in the branches tends to separate andposition the branches such that much of the fruit will dangle near thepassageway openrngs.

Referring now, more particularly, to FIG. 6, the construction of thefruit-grasping members can be seen in more detail. Each member is ofwicket-like construction and extends away from the associated supportrod in a direction opposite the direction of travel. This orientationprovides smooth engagement between the wicket members and the passagewayside walls as the wicket members are periodically flexed toward theirdepressed positions as they enter the passageways. It should be noted,however, that it is not intended that the fruit-grasping members of thepresent invention be limited to the configuration for mountingillustrated in the drawings. If desired, these members may be pivotallyconnected, or otherwise mounted to the associated support rod in amanner which permits flexing at the connection. In addition, theconfiguration of the wicket members may be modified somewhat, so long asthe tapered configuration is maintained.

FIG. 7 illustrates a modified form of the shield member associated withthe present invention. While the form illustrated in FIG. I is of gentlycurved configuration, the form shown in FIG. 7 is comprised ofsubstantially flat side wall portions 60 which are welded or otherwisefastened in a conventional manner to the upper and lower wall portions62 and 64, respectively. This type of construction producessubstantially the same results as the preferred form illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2. However, this type of construction may be preferred dueto its simplicity and ease of manufacture.

From the foregoing description, it will be appreciated that thefruit-picking apparatus of the present invention may be convenientlyoriented in the tree branches, with the shield member and associatedprongs serving to maneuver and position the branches such that the fruitdangles adjacent to the associated passageway openings. In addition, theshield member is effective to periodically flex or depress thefruit-grasping members such that they spring outwardly, therebyincreasing the probability of fruit capture for each revolution of thesupport frame. It will also be noted, that in the desired embodimentillustrated, the fruit-grasping members are positioned close to those ofthe adjacent support rods in a staggered fashion, such that togetherthey define a relatively large sweep area which moves through thefruit-bearing branches of the tree. The spacing between thefruit-grasping members is sufficient to permit the passage of thebranches, yet not large enough to permit passage of a fruit which is ofsufficient size for picking.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalentsmay be restored to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A fruit picking apparatus comprising a movable support frame adaptedto be rotatably driven about an axis, at least one support elementattached to said frame and extending outwardly from said axis wherebysaid element is driven in a generally circular path of travel, at leastone fruit-grasping member attached to said support element for circularmovement therewith,

said fruit-grasping member being movable with respect to said elementbetween a fruit-grasping position and a depressed position, theeffective fruit-engaging area of said fruit-grasping member when in saidfruit-grasping position being greater than when in said depressedposition, and means associated with said support frame for periodicallyinfluencing said fruit-grasping member to said depressed position andsubsequently releasing it to said fruit-grasping position whereby theeffective sweep area of the fruit-grasping member through the foliage isperiodically increased and decreased, said means for depressing saidfruit-grasping member comprising a stationary shield partiallysurrounding said rotatable support frame and including passageway meansthrough which said support element passes, said passageway meansengaging said fruit-grasping member as it passes through said passagewaymeans to maintain it in said depressed position.

2. The structure set forth in claim 1 wherein said fruit-grasping memberis provided with a fruit receiving opening, the area of the projectionof said opening in a plane perpendicular to the direction of travelbeing significantly greater when said fruit-grasping member is in saidfruit-grasping position than when in said depressed position.

3. The structure set forth in claim 2 wherein said fruitgrasping memberwhen in said depressed position extends outwardly from said supportelement and backwardly opposite to the direction of travel.

4. The structure set forth in claim 3 wherein said fruit-grasping membercomprises a narrow closed wicket-like member with opposite ends thereoffastened to said support element.

5. The structure set forth in claim 4 wherein said fruit-grasping memberis made of flexible, resilient material.

6. The structure set forth in claim 5 wherein said passageway means isdefined by a pair of oppositely disposed walls generally parallel tosaid path of element travel, said element carrying a pair of saidfruitgrasping members disposed on opposite sides of said element andsimultaneously engaging said walls.

7. A tree fruit picking apparatus to be moved through the tree branchesto free the encountered fruits from their stems, said apparatuscomprising a rotatably driven support member for rotation about an axis,a plurality of elongated support elements attached to and extendingoutwardly from said support member for rotation therewith in circularpaths, said support elements being axially spaced from each other alongsaid axis, at least one fruit-grasping member carried by each of saidsupport elements, each defining a fruit-receiving opening adapted tocapture fruit as the elements are rotated through the tree branches, thefruit-grasping members carried by axially adjacent support elementsextending axially toward each other when in fruitgrasping positions, andmeans for periodically depressing each of said fruit-grasping membersaxially toward the associated support element to a depressed positionand subsequently releasing each fruit-grasping member to saidfruit-grasping position, whereby the effective sweep area of thefruit-grasping members through the foilage is periodically increased anddecreased.

8. The structure set forth in claim 7 wherein each of saidfruit-grasping members comprises an elongated wicket-like member securedat opposite ends thereof to the associated support element to definesaid fruit receiving opening.

9. The structure set forth in claim 8 wherein each of said wicket-likemembers is of tapered configuration such that said opening is narrowerthan the fruit to be picked at a point remote from the associatedsupport element.

10. The structure set forth in claim 7 wherein said support memberincludes a generally cylindrical outer surface which easily brushes pastthe tree branches.

11. The structure set forth in claim 7 wherein said support elements arearranged in axially spaced groups, the elements of each group lyingapproximately in the same path of travel, the fruit-grasping membersof-each group generally extending toward those of the adjacent groups,thereby defining a relatively large fruitreceiving sweep area as thesupport member is rotated.

12. The structure set forth in claim 11 wherein said depression meansincludes a shield member partially surrounding said support member andadapted to be moved into the tree branches, said shield member beingprovided with a plurality of spaced passageways through which saidsupport elements and fruit-grasping members pass during rotation of saidsupport member.

13. The structure set forth in claim 12 wherein said shield member isprovided with a plurality of outwardly extending branch-maneuveringprongs which may be selectively inserted into the tree to orient thebranches for effective fruit picking.

14. The structure set forth in claim 1 wherein said apparatus includesbiasing means associated with said fruit-grasping member for influencingit toward said fruit-grasping position.

15.,The structure set forth in claim 14 wherein said biasing means isyieldable to permit movement of said fruit-grasping member to saiddepressed position when it engages said passageway means.

16. The structure set forth in claim 15 wherein said fruit-graspingmember slidably engages said passageway means when it is in saiddepressed position.

17. The structure set forth in claim 7 wherein each of saidfruit-grasping members is provided with a fruit receiving opening, thearea of the projection of said opening in a plane perpendicular to thedirection of travel being significantly greater when said fruit graspingmember is in said fruit-grasping position than when in said depressedposition.

18. The structure set forth in claim 17 wherein each of saidfruit-grasping members when in said depressed position extends outwardlyfrom said support element and'backwardly opposite to the direction oftravel.

19. The structure set forth in claim 11 wherein said depression meanscomprises a stationary member defining a plurality of passagewaysaligned with the paths of support element travel, said fruit-graspingmember being depressed by said stationary member as they pass throughthe associated passageways.

20. The structure set forth in claim 19 wherein each of saidfruit-grasping members slidably engages the associated passageway whenin said depressed position. i

1. A fruit picking apparatus comprising a movable support frame adaptedto be rotatably driven about an axis, at least one support elementattached to said frame and extending outwardly from said axis wherebysaid element is driven in a generally circular path of travel, at leastone fruit-grasping member attached to said support element for circularmovement therewith, said fruit-grasping member being movable withrespect to said element between a fruit-grasping position and adepressed position, the effective fruit-engaging area of saidfruitgrasping member when in said fruit-grasping position being greaterthan when in said depressed position, and means associated with saidsupport frame for periodically influencing said fruit-grasping member tosaid depressed position and subsequently releasing it to saidfruit-grasping position whereby the effective sweep area of thefruit-grasping member through the foliage is periodically increased anddecreased, said means for depressing said fruit-grasping membercomprising a stationary shield partially surrounding said rotatablesupport frame and including passageway means through which said supportelement passes, said passageway means engaging said fruit-graspingmember as it passes through said passageway means to maintain it in saiddepressed position.
 2. The structure set forth in claim 1 wherein saidfruit-grasping member is provided with a fruit receiving opening, thearea of the projection of said opening in a plane perpendicular to thedirection of travel being signIficantly greater when said fruit-graspingmember is in said fruit-grasping position than when in said depressedposition.
 3. The structure set forth in claim 2 wherein saidfruit-grasping member when in said depressed position extends outwardlyfrom said support element and backwardly opposite to the direction oftravel.
 4. The structure set forth in claim 3 wherein saidfruit-grasping member comprises a narrow closed wicket-like member withopposite ends thereof fastened to said support element.
 5. The structureset forth in claim 4 wherein said fruit-grasping member is made offlexible, resilient material.
 6. The structure set forth in claim 5wherein said passageway means is defined by a pair of oppositelydisposed walls generally parallel to said path of element travel, saidelement carrying a pair of said fruit-grasping members disposed onopposite sides of said element and simultaneously engaging said walls.7. A tree fruit picking apparatus to be moved through the tree branchesto free the encountered fruits from their stems, said apparatuscomprising a rotatably driven support member for rotation about an axis,a plurality of elongated support elements attached to and extendingoutwardly from said support member for rotation therewith in circularpaths, said support elements being axially spaced from each other alongsaid axis, at least one fruit-grasping member carried by each of saidsupport elements, each defining a fruit-receiving opening adapted tocapture fruit as the elements are rotated through the tree branches, thefruit-grasping members carried by axially adjacent support elementsextending axially toward each other when in fruit-grasping positions,and means for periodically depressing each of said fruit-graspingmembers axially toward the associated support element to a depressedposition and subsequently releasing each fruit-grasping member to saidfruit-grasping position, whereby the effective sweep area of thefruit-grasping members through the foliage is periodically increased anddecreased.
 8. The structure set forth in claim 7 wherein each of saidfruit-grasping members comprises an elongated wicket-like member securedat opposite ends thereof to the associated support element to definesaid fruit receiving opening.
 9. The structure set forth in claim 8wherein each of said wicket-like members is of tapered configurationsuch that said opening is narrower than the fruit to be picked at apoint remote from the associated support element.
 10. The structure setforth in claim 7 wherein said support member includes a generallycylindrical outer surface which easily brushes past the tree branches.11. The structure set forth in claim 7 wherein said support elements arearranged in axially spaced groups, the elements of each group lyingapproximately in the same path of travel, the fruit-grasping members ofeach group generally extending toward those of the adjacent groups,thereby defining a relatively large fruit-receiving sweep area as thesupport member is rotated.
 12. The structure set forth in claim 11wherein said depression means includes a shield member partiallysurrounding said support member and adapted to be moved into the treebranches, said shield member being provided with a plurality of spacedpassageways through which said support elements and fruit-graspingmembers pass during rotation of said support member.
 13. The structureset forth in claim 12 wherein said shield member is provided with aplurality of outwardly extending branch-maneuvering prongs which may beselectively inserted into the tree to orient the branches for effectivefruit picking.
 14. The structure set forth in claim 1 wherein saidapparatus includes biasing means associated with said fruit-graspingmember for influencing it toward said fruit-grasping position.
 15. Thestructure set forth in claim 14 wherein said biasing means is yieldableto permit movement of said fruit-grasping member to said depressedposition when it engagEs said passageway means.
 16. The structure setforth in claim 15 wherein said fruit-grasping member slidably engagessaid passageway means when it is in said depressed position.
 17. Thestructure set forth in claim 7 wherein each of said fruit-graspingmembers is provided with a fruit receiving opening, the area of theprojection of said opening in a plane perpendicular to the direction oftravel being significantly greater when said fruit-grasping member is insaid fruit-grasping position than when in said depressed position. 18.The structure set forth in claim 17 wherein each of said fruit-graspingmembers when in said depressed position extends outwardly from saidsupport element and backwardly opposite to the direction of travel. 19.The structure set forth in claim 11 wherein said depression meanscomprises a stationary member defining a plurality of passagewaysaligned with the paths of support element travel, said fruit-graspingmembers being depressed by said stationary member as they pass throughthe associated passageways.
 20. The structure set forth in claim 19wherein each of said fruit-grasping members slidably engages theassociated passageway when in said depressed position.